DR. WALLACE: I live with my parents and a 10-year-old brother. Last week I turned 14. My parents are good citizens. They pay their bills on time, attend church regularly, and they love each other and us children very much.

Their only problem is that sometimes they see things differently and get into "heated debates" with one another. Each tries to enlist my agreement when this happens. For example, my mom might say to me, "Tell your father that what he's saying is wrong," or "Our daughter knows I'm right — just ask her." This puts me in a can't-win situation. If I agree with one parent, the other one gets upset with me. These are not earth-shattering disagreements, but they make me feel uncomfortable.

Last night I was caught in the middle of an argument and wound up agreeing with my dad. Instead of ending the disagreement, dear old Dad started telling Mom, "I told you so, I told you so." Mom went away crying and now she's mad at me. She'll get over it soon, but still, all this bothers me. Help! — Sad Daughter, Elizabethtown, Ky.

SAD DAUGHTER: It's all too common for parents to enlist the aid of their children to settle a disagreement between them. This is nothing but a losing proposition for the children.

Here's your best course of action: Whenever you hear a disagreement brewing between Mom and Dad, make yourself scarce. Go to your room and close the door or leave the house altogether and go to a friend's house. If leaving the scene isn't an option, refuse to take sides. If they press you for your opinion, simply say, "Mom and Dad, I love you both, but I want you to settle this without me. If I get involved, one of you will be upset with me."

You might even make this statement when things are calm - during dinner some evening, for instance - so your parents will be able to hear your feelings on the matter when they aren't distraught themselves.

HE DOESN'T MAKE SEXUAL ADVANCES

DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and have been dating a great guy for almost a year. We enjoy going to movies, concerts and athletic events. I really like him very much. He is very athletic, handsome and extremely intelligent. He also has a great sense of humor. We have great fun together and have even discussed getting married someday.

My concern is that he has never made any kind of sexual advances. I find this very unusual. Do you think he has a problem, or what? - Curious, Vicksburg, Miss.

CURIOUS: Your boyfriend doesn't have a problem. He just happens to be a gentleman. Be happy that he is. Please read the following letter.

DOUBLE DATE OR WEAR BOXING GLOVES

DR. WALLACE: I'm 18 and so is my boyfriend. He is a wonderful guy and so popular that other girls would kill just to go out with him once. I feel blessed that he loves me, but he does have one major problem. He's sexually aggressive.

I am a Mormon and will not have sex before marriage. That's a 100 percent fact. He knows this and says that he, too, will become a member of the Latter Day Saints before we get married, but he still persists to pressure me to have sex. At times, I think he has six hands.

Do you have any suggestions to keep this guy from becoming overheated? Please hurry and don't tell me to take a course in self-defense. — Worried, Provo, Utah.

WORRIED: Your boyfriend has mentioned marriage, so perhaps it would help to have the two of you meet with a church elder to explain a bit about your religion. There's always a possibility that he may not embrace it.

Other options include double-dating with another couple or insisting that he wear boxing gloves whenever you two are alone!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.